R&b
Despite only having started releasing music in 2020, Matilda Mann has asserted herself as a rising star in British music. Her soft vocals, use of gentle guitars and candid lyrics about love align her with the likes of Tommy Lefroy, beabadoobee and Eloise. For the release of her latest EP, ‘You Look Like You Can’t Swim’ Matilda sat down with Clash to offer insights into her writing process, her least favourite things about performing and looking back on the release of her first EP, ‘Sonder.’
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I saw you went to Barn On The Farm festival, how was that?
Amazing! I’ve never played on the main stage before, and I’ve also never been to barn on the farm! It has such a wonderful community of people there and all of the acts were incredible. I definitely need to go camping next year and get the full experience.
What’s your favourite and least favourite thing about performing?
It’s a particular kind of feeling to see strangers sing your songs along with you. It’s something I never really even began to think would happen to me, so I think that makes it even crazier. A big part of performing that I still find it hard to wrap my head around, is feeling strong in my vocals. I always doubt if I’m singing in tune or well enough, or if people can hear me. I have noticed that my voice has gotten stronger over the last few years, so maybe it’s just a time thing.
You have a real sense of storytelling in your music. Where does that come from?
I love movies, haha! I wish I could say it was books, but I’m so bad at sticking to reading. The extra thing that movies have over books, is the soundtrack. Soundtracks and movies are what move me and give me ideas of how to create a story.
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Do you have to be in a particular headspace for songwriting or does it just come at any point of the day, any mood?
I can’t be too busy. So I can’t be doing two things at once or answering emails, or while talking to my friends. I have to be somewhere with no distractions, and with someone who can throw ideas back-and-forth with me.
I don’t think I have to be in a particular mood, but having a song that I’m obsessed with or having just been to a gig or concert, always heightens my creativity.
What’s your least favourite thing about the songwriting process?
I hate when I’ve written something, and then I overthink it too much and worry that someone’s already written something like it or it’s not original or creative enough or people think I’m going back on myself and not progressing as an artist. I’ve gotten better at listening to my songs, as if I haven’t written them, and asking myself, if I think this is a good song as it is.
What attracts you to writing about love?
I think love is one of the best emotions at bringing out all of the different sides of yourself. That’s why it’s so easy to write about. It’s also something that every human feels in some way or another. Being in love can take you down so many different parts and into so many different situations.
How would you describe your first EP ‘Sonder’ to someone on the street?
I think it’s a 20 year old girl’s look into life. I definitely still had that naive feeling that I thought I knew everything about the world, so I guess that brings some humour to the EP. But also a lot of innocence in terms of how some people look at love in the beginning of entering adulthood.
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You have a new EP ‘you look like you can’t swim’ – why that title, what’s this EP all about?
In all honesty, I discovered the saying “you look like you can’t swim” as a joke, you would say to someone as a slight insult. I think it’s kind of just a metaphor for saying you look like you’re not capable of doing something and I think that’s how I view myself in a lot of situations. I guess it’s about not letting your thoughts get to you.
What’s a release day like for you?
Christmas Day. Especially as I have a music video coming out on the same day. There’s a lot of excitement, I’m an anxious mess around if people like it, what they’re gonna think, if it does well…
What is something you want people to take away from your music?
I guess I hope people can feel comfort, in just feeling things. Sometimes I get really scared and overwhelmed by even the idea of feeling something and I have a habit of overthinking. I used to get really embarrassed about being emotional and I would try so hard to hide that side of myself. But that doesn’t do anyone any good and I think it stops you from moving forward. So I think I would just like people to feel whatever they need to feel.
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Matilda Mann’s ‘You Look Like You Can’t Swim’ EP is out now.
Words: Grace Dodd
Photography: Kid Circus
